Akt/GSK-3β/Snail通路在TGF-β_1诱导A549/DDP细胞上皮间质转化中的作用

目的:通过观察转化生长因子β_1(TGF-β_1)诱导前后Akt/GSK-3β/Snail信号通路相关分子的表达情况,探讨A549/DDP细胞发生上皮-间充质转化(epithelial-mesenchymal transition,EMT)的分子机制。方法:TGF-β_1(5μg/L)作用48 h,观察A549/DDP细胞的形态变化,并测定EMT标志物上皮型钙黏蛋白(E-cadherin)和神经型钙黏蛋白(N-cadherin)的表达情况,评估TGF-β_1是否成功诱导A549/DDP细胞发生EMT。进一步将A549/DDP细胞分为TGF-β_1(+)组、TGF-β_1(-)组和LY294002组,应用Western blot法检测各组Akt/GSK-3β/Snail通路相关分子Akt、p-Akt、GSK-3β、p-GSK-3βSer9和Snail的蛋白水平。结果:形态学观察可见TGF-β_1(+)组的细胞变得更加狭长,呈纺锤形,细胞间较为疏散,形态与间充质细胞相似。与TGF-β_1(-)组比较,TGF-β_1(+)组E-cadherin蛋白表达下调,N-cadherin蛋白表达上调(P0.05);各组间Akt和GSK-3β的蛋白表达水平并无明显差别,TGF-β_1(+)组的p-Akt、p-GSK-3βSer9和Snail蛋白水平较TGF-β_1(-)组明显增强(P0.05);PI3K抑制剂LY294002与TGF-β_1同时刺激细胞后,p-Akt、p-GSK-3βSer9和Snail的蛋白水平较TGF-β_1(+)组下调(P0.05)。结论:TGF-β_1干预Akt/GSK-3β/Snail信号通路,促进Akt和GSK-3β的磷酸化,提高Snail的表达水平,诱导A549/DDP细胞发生EMT。

Effect of Akt/GSK-3β/Snail signaling pathway on EMT in A549/DDP cells mediated by TGF-β1

AIM: To observe the expression of Akt/GSK-3β/Snail signaling pathway-related molecules in cisplatin-resistant cell line A549/DDP mediated by transforming growth factor-β₁ (TGF-β₁), and to explore the association of Akt/GSK-3β/Snail signaling pathway with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). METHODS: The A549/DDP cells were divided into TGF-β₁ (+) group, TGF-β₁ (-) group and LY294002 group. The morphological changes of A549/DDP cells treated with TGF-β₁ were observed under microscope. The protein expression of E-cadherin and N-cadherin was determined by the methods of immumofluorescence and Western blot. The protein levels of Akt, p-Akt, GSK-3β, p-GSK-3β^Ser9 and Snail were also detected by Western blot. RESULTS: The A549/DDP cells in TGF-β₁ (+) group were dispersive, showed a spindle-like shape and developed pseudopodia. This transformation was conformed to classic EMT markers. Compared with TGF-β₁ (-) group, the protein expression of E-cadherin in TGF-β₁ (+) group was significantly decreased (P<0.05), and N-cadherin was significantly increased (P<0.05). The protein levels of p-Akt, p-GSK-3β^Ser9 and Snail were also significantly increased (P<0.05). Compared with TGF-β₁ (+) group, the protein levels of p-Akt, p-GSK-3β^Ser9 and Snail were significantly decreased in LY294002 group (P<0.05). No difference of Akt and GSK-3β expression between TGF-β₁ (-) group and TGF-β₁ (+) group was observed. CONCLUSION: The mechanism of EMT in A549/DDP cells might be related to Akt/GSK-3β/Snail signaling pathway activated by TGF-β₁.